Barbara Ann Phillips (Carey), 82 Suffered a massive stroke on May 26, 2022, and after a three-month battle, she sadly succumbed, taking her last breath in a rehabilitation facility in Tallahassee, Florida on August 25, 2022.
Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey to the late Robert and Mary Phillips (Barnes). Barbara has been a resident of Tallahassee, FL for the last eleven years. She leaves behind her only child, Melissa Phillips, grandson, Jewels Phillips and granddaughter, Justine Phillips.
Barbara was one of 10 children, she is predeceased by sisters, Lorraine Hawkins (Barnes-Phillips); Edrina Theus (Phillips), and brothers, Michael, and Gerald Phillips.
She is survived by 4 brothers; David Phillips, of FL.; Harry Phillips (Carol), and Robert Phillips, of NJ.; and Ronald Phillips, of PA., and 1 sister, Brenda Phillips, of NC.; and Brother-in-law Zendal Carey of Freeport, Bahamas. A host of beloved nieces and nephews, three generations deep who grieve and mourn the loss, but Celebrate a Life Well Lived!
Raised and saved
Raised in the Church, Barbara’s family attended Asbury Methodist Church, she gave her life to Jesus Christ early and kept close her commitment. With a beautiful voice, she enjoyed singing in the choir as a young girl and later as adult in St. Croix. Coming from a musical family, her father Robert was a professional drummer, and all the children played instruments, Barbra played the violin.
Education was very important to the Phillips family, and Barbara was smart, an excellent student, she had plans to go far when she graduated from Atlantic City High School in 1959, but that dream would be deferred as she now had a child to raise.
A Life Well Lived
Barbara always worked. To make ends meet she often worked two, three jobs simultaneously. Early jobs included factory work, where she made Army uniforms; Rex’s Sub Shop, and Kelly’s Seafood Restaurant. An expert seamstress/tailor she made coats and outfits for people and was paid for her service She was also the neighborhood hairdresser, in her small kitchen you could get a wash and quick set;a press and curl or perm, all this is in addition to any other jobs she had at the time. A part-time position as a Teacher’s Aide put her back on track to earn her college degree.
Barbara was in her 30’s when she was finally able to go to college. She received her A.A, and her B.A by 1973 and in 1995 in her 60’s she finished and received her PhD, Doctor of Philosophy, Addictionology and Counseling.
Six Homes in Two Countries and One Territory
Barbara took her first real vacation in 1973 after getting her B.A., she traveled to the Bahamas. During this trip she met her soon to be husband George Carey. and within the year she had relocated to Freeport, Grand Bahamas, Bahamas. Offered a position with the Government of the Bahamas, Ministry of Education as a Coordinator of Pupil Services. Barbara held a variety of positions; and was able to do what she does best, see a need and fill it as one of the Founding Members of the Grand Bahama School for Exceptional Children; and the Centre for the Deaf in Freeport, Grand Bahamas.
When Barbara returned to the U.S. she settled in Miami, Florida. She worked for 7001 Youth Industries, a Government Grant Funded Program, designed to provide counseling, motivational and life skills along with job placement for teenage dropouts and high-risk youth, until it was no longer funded.
A Walgreens position as the sole printer for all their paper products, menus promotions etc. for the S.E. District including Puerto Rico, was a challenge she accepted and excelled, the first job she worked alone, she loved it. She was recommended for Walgreens trainee program, and it was not long before she became the one who trained managers.
Helping a friend led to a new career in Direct Marketing, as a Supervisor for a National Company specializing in gift and promotional items.
Barbara loved the work…all of it, but her most rewarding work, the work she thought she was born to do, began in 1987 when she went to work for The Village South Inc.
Purpose and Presence
Hired as a Primary Therapist and Director for Women’s Services; she moved into Director of Admissions; and Community Relations; Director of the Women's Personal Support Network to name a few
In 1990 Barbara became one of the Founding Members and the Director of Virgin Islands Program for the Village-Virgin Islands Partners in Recovery. From the ground up Barbara established and maintained comprehensive services, staffing and all moving parts that come with running business on three islands, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John, as Director of Treatment Services, providing the only residential substance abuse series in the Eastern Caribbean.it was the best time in her life the most fulfilling and she enjoyed every moment of it.
Barbara Carey said yes to life every day, she focused on the next step with optimism and hope. She was a good friend, neighbor, and employee and a wonderfully loving and accommodating sister aunt mother and grandmother. She loved a good laugh and a good meal and a good book.
She will be missed…
For ALL the prayers and petitions of peace and comfort in this season of grief, the family thanks you and asks that you would continue to pray for their peace.
13 Now we do not want you to be uninformed, believers, about those who are asleep [in death], so that you will not grieve [for them] as the others do who have no hope [beyond this present life]. Thessalonians 4:13 Amp
A note from her daughter; “I asked mom the night of her last birthday, as she headed down the hallway, with her walker, (knees hurting, back hurting and who knows what else) if there was anything she would do different. She stopped looked back at me and said “NO” I said “really? ”(every day I see her struggle) she said plainly, ”No, I wouldn’t change a thing”. And continued down the hall. To God Be the Glory
A Brief ceremony was held on Monday September 12, 2022
at Culleys MeadowWood Funeral Home, Tallahassee, Fl. 32308
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